What Causes Muscle Spasms?

Muscle spasms are involuntary contractions of a muscle. These can happen anywhere in the body although spasms in the back are more common. They can be uncomfortable or accompanied by debilitating pain. The reasons for the spasms differ as much as the symptoms do. When looking at what causes muscles spasms, many possibilities exist.

What causes muscle spasms can be as simple as a quick turn, catching your muscles off guard. Similar to a cramp, muscle spasms involve a quick tightening of the muscle, often when you least expect it. These fast spasms can send a jolt of pain through your body, making you wince and grimace.

Muscle spasms can also be caused by an injury. When inflammation surrounds an injury within the body, it can often trigger muscle spasms. These often last longer than the fast appearing cramps as discussed above and can create tightness and swelling for several days. What causes muscle spasms like this is the swelling around an injury.

Another explanation for what causes muscle spasms is neurological possibilities. Things like strokes and metabolic disorders can affect the way muscle respond to signals from the brain, involuntarily contracting muscles at random times.

Regardless of what causes muscle spasms, they can be quite painful. If you experience muscle spasms that last longer than a day or so and involve severe pain, you should visit your physician. Sometimes a serious condition like a ruptured spinal disc can create spasms. In cases like this, muscle spasms are a warning sign of something more serious.

Simple muscle spasms arising from cramps or quick movements can often be massaged away. Try taking down any inflammation with a ice and resting the affected area.